Corporate Fitness
Strong, healthy employees are the backbone of any strong, healthy company. Every organization wants to decrease absenteeism, increase productivity, and find ways to retain high-performing employees. Employees want a work environment in which they can grow, feel valued, and know they’re part of a strong culture. Most companies address this by offering perks and bonuses. While remuneration is appreciated, there is a better and fuller approach. Corporate fitness and wellness programs can respond to the needs of both employer and employee, producing remarkable results. In fact, meaningful fitness programs are among the most consistent requests of potential employees.
The sedentary lifestyle is a primary risk factor for heart disease and numerous other serious pathologies. It is well known that fitness has uniquely positive effects on mental, physical, and social health. Despite this well-established knowledge, 63% of Canadians are not active enough to gain real health benefits from exercise. COS believes an employer has a responsibility to increase awareness of health, since people spend about half their waking hours at work. If more incentive is needed, it has also been shown that about three-quarters of health and medical claims come from a select few categories of illness and that the risk factors for these are all modifiable by exercise and healthy lifestyle.
The sedentary lifestyle is a primary risk factor for heart disease and numerous other serious pathologies. It is well known that fitness has uniquely positive effects on mental, physical, and social health. Despite this well-established knowledge, 63% of Canadians are not active enough to gain real health benefits from exercise. COS believes an employer has a responsibility to increase awareness of health, since people spend about half their waking hours at work. If more incentive is needed, it has also been shown that about three-quarters of health and medical claims come from a select few categories of illness and that the risk factors for these are all modifiable by exercise and healthy lifestyle.
There are a variety of options and choices for incorporating health and wellness into the workplace. COS will be with you every step of the way, from developing the program to its ongoing and evolving management. We will listen to you and design a plan that works best for you and your company. Our comprehensive and tailored programs will meet your company’s needs and produce a positive
return on investment.
We offer comprehensive services for all your corporate needs, from fitness/wellness programs and facility design/management to specialty programs and team-building activities that focus on your company’s values and goals.
The COS team consists of service providers from all health care areas, including medicine, physiotherapy, respiratory therapy, massage therapy, nutrition, ergonnomics, fitness, personal training, and lifestyle coaching to provide your company and employees with the most comprehensive program possible.
BENEFITS
Research has found that investing in employee health is one of the most productive investments an organization can make.
For the Employer
Taking a proactive approach to health care is still a new idea for some companies. At COS, we know that healthy employees make healthier companies, and that unhealthy employees subtract from the bottom line. Stress-related illnesses cost employers untold sums in increased absenteeism, more serious medical claims, and decreased insurance availability. All top-performing companies offer health insurance and benefits packages, but such “safety nets” only provide help once employees have already fallen ill and productivity has been impaired. The way of the present and future is preventive – stopping ill health before it happens and impacts operations. There’s a reason why corporate fitness and wellness programs are a growing trend. Pretty soon companies won’t be able to afford not to invest in such programs. The sooner your company establishes a health and wellness program, the sooner you will see a return on this investment. You will see research-supported benefits, such as:
Reduced employee absenteeism
- Work absences are increasing for health-related reasons and disabilities.
There is an inverse relationship between employee fitness and absenteeism.
Over a six-year period, DuPont saw a 47.5 percent reduction in
absenteeism among participants in its corporate fitness program. (Edington, DW. Health Behavior, March 1992)
Decreased employee turnover
- The Canadian Life Assurance Company found turnover among its fitness program participants to be 34.4 percent lower over a seven-year period, compared with non-participants during that same time. (Leatt, P. Canadian Journal of Public Health, Jan/Feb 1988)
Recruiting and retaining employees
- Companies that offer corporate fitness and wellness programs are displaying their positive values, values that help to retain employees and build their commitment.
Reduced health care costs and medical claims
- Medical claim costs at Steelcase Corporation were 55 percent lower among corporate fitness program participants than non-participants over a six-year period, an average of $478.61 for participants versus $869.98 for non-participants. (Yen, LT-C. American Journal of Health Promotion, Sept/Oct. 1991)
Increased employee morale
- 60% of employees surveyed in a study of job satisfaction consider wellness offerings an incentive to remain with their current employer. (Simpson, 2003)
- Employees who feel they are being allowed to improve their health and well-being take more pride in their work.
Increased productivity
- 80 percent of Union Pacific Railroad's employees believed their exercise program was helping them become more productive at work, and 75 percent thought regular exercise was helping them achieve higher levels of relaxation and concentration. (Leutzinger, J, Blanke, D. Health Values, Sept/Oct 1991)
- Less work time is lost, as physically fit employees are less fatigued, make fewer errors, and can deal with stress more efficiently.
Return On Investment
For the Employee
Employees benefit in many ways when a corporate fitness and wellness program is offered. Morale is key to productivity. It is important that employees feel their company has their best interests in mind. This produces greater work satisfaction and morale, improving employee quality of life and productivity. Other positive results are:
- Improved concentration and ability to problem solve
- Increased energy
- Decreased levels of stress and increased ability to deal with stress
- Greater pride in workplace
- Improved health markers such as blood pressure
- Decrease in musculoskeletal injuries and days sick
- Reduction of risk factors for serious disease
- Increased levels of self-awareness and insight
- Improved mental health
FITNESS AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS
To create a culture of wellness in the workplace, it is imperative
to consider all the key relevant aspects – something COS is thoroughly equipped to do. Employees are assessed to ensure they have a healthy work–life balance. Exercise programs are designed specifically to match each client’s needs analysis and goals. The needs analysis is based on a health and fitness appraisal
(more info click here) performed before the fitness portion of the program. Options for corporate exercise programs include weight management, toning, stretching, and stress management; COS offers
- Outdoor fitness – become one with nature while training like an athlete
- Interest groups – Use an activity that you are passionate about and really
- Quick class – classes can be designed for 20, 30, 40+ minutes in order to
- Themed events – fitness events and competitions that can be designed
- Lunch and learn seminars – education and awareness are key aspects in
- Relaxation – Physical and emotional stress can affect functioning and
- Wellness fairs – COS Inc can call on it’s variety of health professionals to
- Weight loss challenge – Employees can challenge each other and
- Off-site training – COMING SOMETIME IN FUTURE
Special Fitness
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Partner and Group Training
FACILITY MANAGEMENT & DESIGN
COS has the capacity to offer everything you need to design and manage an on-site fitness facility. Our team of experts can help your company provide a safe and exciting facility that meets your needs and maximizes returns.
Facility Management
Simply building a fitness facility or putting together a workout room is not
enough to improve the health of your employees. It is essential to put proper management systems in place to ensure smooth operation. Many employees are intimidated by the gym setting and exercise equipment. It’s essential that employees be properly oriented to the gym and its equipment to avoid injury arising from incorrect use. Having a certified fitness professional from COS running your facility ensures that clients will attain their fitness goals as quickly and safely as possible. Whether you are building a new facility or revamping an existing one, COS has the answers to help you meet your goals and needs and maximize your return on investment. We will do what it takes to get your facility up and running in the way you need. Our services cover such things as:
Promotions and incentive programs – What good is it if your employees
come to the gym once and never return? The right promotions will keep them coming back to integrate wellness into their lives.
Develop equipment maintenance and cleaning schedule – To save
money on equipment repair, equipment must be properly maintained. A gym also must also meet established health guidelines.
Policies, operational procedures, and proprietary information – We can help you set these, along with emergency procedures, operating hours, and staffing requirements.
Service delivery – how best to offer each health and fitness service
Evaluations and Reporting systems
Any facility upgrades expansions and/or changes
Research – providing information on research trends and best practice
Facility Design
Whether it’s a 500-square-foot room or a 20,000-square-foot facility, COS has the knowledge and expertise to plan a customized state-of-the-art fitness area that meets your company’s needs. Planning a facility and setting goals and objectives is a specialized area. Use our professionals and exceed your expectations. Implementing a fitness facility and program entails considering many areas of specialized knowledge mastered by the COS team. We can provide consultation on such matters as:
- Equipment selection – selecting leading edge equipment that will
- Equipment Supply – We will facilitate your purchase of equipment
- Facility Space – We will estimate the space that is required for a facility
- Facility Layout – We can organize your facility in order to maximize your
- Specific Areas – this includes change room amenities, specialized work
areas such as indoor tracks and lifting platforms, front desk, offices, areas for other health care professionals such as physiotherapy.
- Audiovisual needs
- Needs for signage
- Flooring specifications - for safety and esthetics
- Liability issues
- Safety and security issues
- Management recommendations